Once sold vegetables with father, now Neeraj Chauhan of Meerut will play for the country

Meerut: Due to financial constraints in the Corona epidemic, Neeraj Chauhan, while selling vegetables on a handcart with his father, held th...

Meerut: Due to financial constraints in the Corona epidemic, Neeraj Chauhan, while selling vegetables on a handcart with his father, held the bow and did not allow the arrow to move away from the target. As a result, Neeraj is now a part of the Indian squad announced for the Archery World Cup and the Asian Games. Neeraj stunned everyone with his performance and finished second in the country in the trials for the recurve event of the Asian Games and World Cup held at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Sonepat center on Sunday, March 27. Neeraj is going to represent the country for the first time on foreign soil. He is very excited about this and is ready to give his best.

Neeraj's father Akshay Lal has been working as a temporary worker for nearly 25 years as a cook in the hostel of Kailash Prakash Sports Stadium in Meerut. Elder son national boxer Sunil Chauhan and younger son Neeraj also stayed with him in the stadium. Growing up in the sports environment, both the brothers also showed their interest in sports. In view of the financial condition, the officials of the Sports Department made arrangements for Akshay's free stay, food and training of the children. Neeraj did not even have modern archery equipment. Meanwhile, Akshay lost his job when the hostels were closed during the Corona epidemic. When he set up a vegetable cart, Neeraj also shared his father's hand with his brother.

Neeraj started archery training in 2013. Sometimes there was a coach in the stadium and sometimes he practiced without a coach. In 2018 and 2021, Neeraj won silver medal in Junior National and Senior National held in Pune and Dehradun. On attaining the age of 18 years, he was selected for the post of constable in ITBP in March last year. Neeraj says that now his goal is to win medals for the country and strengthen the financial condition of the family. Akshay has acquired land in a colony for children and currently runs a hotel on the footpath outside the stadium. Sunil is preparing for boxing competitions.

- KTP Bureau